Most of the fishermen in coastal areas are not taking each day to the sea because fuel prices are expected to rise in near future. Murrells Inlet S.C. Drivers are feeling increasing pain when they fill their gas tanks these days, but just imagine filling a tank more than 10 times the size of an average car tank with fuel that costs about 30 cents more per gallon. That’s what area fisherman are dealing with, and many say it’s the last thing the industry needed.
Chris Conklin, of C&C Seafood in Murrells Inlet, which owns at least nine area fishing boats, said that the situation has become harder to live on. He also said that commercial fishermen pay for their own fuel before going out to fish, and the increased cost just means less money for the fishermen. He said the price for the fish can’t simply be increased to make up for the extra fuel costs because of competition from farm and imported fish.
Conklin also said that they are going higher expenses but the prices of the fish are not going high. Fishermen who conduct trips and tours have the ability to charge more per trip to make up for rising fuel costs, but that’s no easy decision either. When gas prices go up, tourists may have second thoughts about shelling out more cash for a chartered fishing trip or tour, said Capt. Dave Sears, who conducts tours out of Murrells Inlet on his boat the Sea Rake.
Tom Crosby, the vice president of communications for AAA Carolinas, said the price of a barrel of oil is going up, and “that price increase has not yet hit us, which means we’re in for another wave.” ayne Mershon, the manager of several commercial boats in Murrells Inlet, said there was a rush on diesel when fishermen heard prices were initially about to go up.
